Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing protected remote access from a remote access client to a remote access server over a computer network through a plurality of inspections. A remote access configuration file is created for the remote access client. A digital hash of the configuration file is then generated. The digital hash is compared with a configuration file stored at a predefined web location. If the comparison results in a match between the digital hash and the stored configuration file, a digital hash comparison is performed between an encrypted remote access configuration file and an encrypted configuration file stored at the predefined web location. If the plurality of inspections are passed, the remote access client is released from a quarantine state and a virtual private network (VPN) connection to the remote access server is established.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for updating software deployed on computers in an enterprise computer network wherein each computer has a software update agent installed to enable the computer to receive software patch updates. The method includes determining a required software component and updates; determining a version of the agent and updating the agent if required; selecting a server from which required updates are to be downloaded; scanning a plurality of software components on a selected computer and comparing the components with updates available on the server to determine required updates; downloading the required patches from the server; and installing the patches on the selected computer. The system includes components that perform the method steps when operated on a computer in the network. A computer readable medium implements the method for updating software deployed on computers in a network.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relates to processing managing an operating system to set up a computer association tool. The technique includes processing an Operating System Deployment (OSD) functionality of a Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to configure a server, wherein the OSD causes the server to a Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE Boot). The SCCM may be launched for the PXE boot process to be associated with the server and configuring the SCCM to associate with a specific OSD Task Sequence. Boot from a Network Interface Card (NIC) that has an associated MAC address, using the PXE, wherein the PXE boot process then hands the operation over to the designated OSD Task Sequencer (TS) which handles the configuration process according to at least one variable.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for remote scheduling of at least one job to run on a plurality of computers in a computer network. The job scheduler enables selection of a domain that includes at least a subset of the computers on which the job is to run. A list of computers in the selected domain is automatically generated. The computers on which the job is to run can be selected from the generated list of computers. A configuration file is created for storing an identification of the selected domain and the job to be run on the selected computers in the domain.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing protected remote access from a remote access client to a remote access server over a computer network through a plurality of inspections. A remote access configuration file is created for the remote access client. A digital hash of the configuration file is then generated. The digital hash is compared with a configuration file stored at a predefined web location. If the comparison results in a match between the digital hash and the stored configuration file, a digital hash comparison is performed between an encrypted remote access configuration file and an encrypted configuration file stored at the predefined web location. If the plurality of inspections are passed, the remote access client is released from a quarantine state and a virtual private network (VPN) connection to the remote access server is established.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for updating software deployed on computers in an enterprise computer network wherein each computer has a software update agent installed to enable the computer to receive software patch updates. The method includes determining a required software component and updates; determining a version of the agent and updating the agent if required; selecting a server from which required updates are to be downloaded; scanning a plurality of software components on a selected computer and comparing the components with updates available on the server to determine required updates; downloading the required patches from the server; and installing the patches on the selected computer. The system includes components that perform the method steps when operated on a computer in the network. A computer readable medium implements the method for updating software deployed on computers in a network.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for remote scheduling of at least one job to run on a plurality of computers in a computer network. The job scheduler enables selection of a domain that includes at least a subset of the computers on which the job is to run. A list of computers in the selected domain is automatically generated. The computers on which the job is to run can be selected from the generated list of computers. A configuration file is created for storing an identification of the selected domain and the job to be run on the selected computers in the domain.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relates to processing managing an operating system to set up a computer association tool. The technique includes processing an Operating System Deployment (OSD) functionality of a Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to configure a server, wherein the OSD causes the server to a Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE Boot). The SCCM may be launched for the PXE boot process to be associated with the server and configuring the SCCM to associate with a specific OSD Task Sequence. Boot from a Network Interface Card (NIC) that has an associated MAC address, using the PXE, wherein the PXE boot process then hands the operation over to the designated OSD Task Sequencer (TS) which handles the configuration process according to at least one variable.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for printer driver management in an enterprise network. Each requested printer driver is tested in a controlled environment to determine if the driver is compatible with at least one other driver in a set of drivers. The tested printer driver is conditioned for inclusion in a central repository that stores a plurality of sets of versioned drivers, if the printer driver is determined to be compatible. The tested driver and at least one associated file are packaged and stored in the central repository. The tested driver and associated file are deployed to at least one server hosting a distributed file share. The tested driver and associated file are downloaded to at least one print server. Driver files are touched with a date and time stamp so that workstations will automatically download updated printer drivers from the print server.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for group policy backup management in a network having a plurality of domains including components and modules for steps of retrieving a list of group policy objects for a domain, generating a configuration initialization file including a domains section identifying a plurality of domains that are to be backed up and a setup section specifying a plurality of values that control the backup of each policy object in each domain, determining a digital signature for each policy object on a list of policies for the domain, comparing the digital signature for each policy object with a corresponding previous digital signature for each policy, determining if a current digital signature for each policy object matches the corresponding previous digital signature for a policy, and backing up a policy object having a current digital signature that does not match the corresponding previous digital signature.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for updating software deployed on computers in an enterprise computer network wherein each computer has a software update agent installed to enable the computer to receive software patch updates. The method includes determining a required software component and updates; determining a version of the agent and updating the agent if required; selecting a server from which required updates are to be downloaded; scanning a plurality of software components on a selected computer and comparing the components with updates available on the server to determine required updates; downloading the required patches from the server; and installing the patches on the selected computer. The system includes components that perform the method steps when operated on a computer in the network. A computer readable medium implements the method for updating software deployed on computers in a network.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing protected remote access from a remote access client to a remote access server over a computer network through a plurality of inspections. A remote access configuration file is created for the remote access client. A digital hash of the configuration file is then generated. The digital hash is compared with a configuration file stored at a predefined web location. If the comparison results in a match between the digital hash and the stored configuration file, a digital hash comparison is performed between an encrypted remote access configuration file and an encrypted configuration file stored at the predefined web location. If the plurality of inspections are passed, the remote access client is released from a quarantine state and a virtual private network (VPN) connection to the remote access server is established.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relates to processing functionality of a Configuration Manager Computer Association Tool (CMCA) to an Operating System Deployment (OSD) computer association process. The disclosure includes processing the Operating System Deployment (OSD) functionality of a Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to configure a server, wherein the OSD causes the server to a Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE Boot). The SCCM may be launched for the PXE boot process to be associated with the server and configure the SCCM to associate with a specific OSD Task Sequence. Boot from a Network Interface Card (NIC) that has an associated MAC address, using the PXE, wherein the PXE boot process then hands the operation over to the designated OSD Task Sequencer (TS) which handles the configuration process according to at least one variable.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for remote scheduling of at least one job to run on a plurality of computers in a computer network. The job scheduler enables selection of a domain that includes at least a subset of the computers on which the job is to run. A list of computers in the selected domain is automatically generated. The computers on which the job is to run can be selected from the generated list of computers. A configuration file is created for storing an identification of the selected domain and the job to be run on the selected computers in the domain.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for detecting and enforcing compliance with access requirements for a computer system in a restricted computer network. A compliance validation configuration file is created for the computer system. A maintenance service utility is configured to launch a compliance validation executable file at a specified time during operation of the computer system. A digital hash is generated for the compliance validation executable file and for the compliance validation configuration file. A determination is made if the computer system or a computer system user is a member of a configured restricted group. If the computer system or the computer system user is a member of a configured restricted group, a determination is made if a directory site code for a subnet of the restricted computer network to which the computer system is connected corresponds to a configured and allowed site.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing protected remote access from a remote access client to a remote access server over a computer network through a plurality of inspections. A remote access configuration file is created for the remote access client. A digital hash of the configuration file is then generated. The digital hash is compared with a configuration file stored at a predefined web location. If the comparison results in a match between the digital hash and the stored configuration file, a digital hash comparison is performed between an encrypted remote access configuration file and an encrypted configuration file stored at the predefined web location. If the plurality of inspections are passed, the remote access client is released from a quarantine state and a virtual private network (VPN) connection to the remote access server is established.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for updating software deployed on computers in an enterprise computer network wherein each computer has a software update agent installed to enable the computer to receive software patch updates. The method includes determining a required software component and updates; determining a version of the agent and updating the agent if required; selecting a server from which required updates are to be downloaded; scanning a plurality of software components on a selected computer and comparing the components with updates available on the server to determine required updates; downloading the required patches from the server; and installing the patches on the selected computer. The system includes components that perform the method steps when operated on a computer in the network. A computer readable medium implements the method for updating software deployed on computers in a network.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for remote scheduling of at least one job to run on a plurality of computers in a computer network. The job scheduler enables selection of a domain that includes at least a subset of the computers on which the job is to run. A list of computers in the selected domain is automatically generated. The computers on which the job is to run can be selected from the generated list of computers. A configuration file is created for storing an identification of the selected domain and the job to be run on the selected computers in the domain.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for group policy backup management in a network having a plurality of domains including components and modules for steps of retrieving a list of group policy objects for a domain, generating a configuration initialization file including a domains section identifying a plurality of domains that are to be backed up and a setup section specifying a plurality of values that control the backup of each policy object in each domain, determining a digital signature for each policy object on a list of policies for the domain, comparing the digital signature for each policy object with a corresponding previous digital signature for each policy, determining if a current digital signature for each policy object matches the corresponding previous digital signature for a policy, and backing up a policy object having a current digital signature that does not match the corresponding previous digital signature.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for printer driver management in an enterprise network. Each requested printer driver is tested in a controlled environment to determine if the driver is compatible with at least one other driver in a set of drivers. The tested printer driver is conditioned for inclusion in a central repository that stores a plurality of sets of versioned drivers, if the printer driver is determined to be compatible. The tested driver and at least one associated file are packaged and stored in the central repository. The tested driver and associated file are deployed to at least one server hosting a distributed file share. The tested driver and associated file are downloaded to at least one print server. Driver files are touched with a date and time stamp so that workstations will automatically download updated printer drivers from the print server.